Milk.Blitz.Street.Bomb.http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com
Where Martial Arts and Travel MeetFri, 03 Aug 2018 22:54:06 +0000en-UShourly1http://www.milkblitzstreetbomb.com/http://www.milkblitzstreetbomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/MBSB-banner-200-x-60.jpg22391579http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily RotationAn Introduction to Indonesian Martial Artshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/lg-pQ_XEXbM/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/introduction-indonesian-martial-arts/#commentsMon, 23 Jul 2018 04:23:10 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17696Indonesian martial arts incorporate a variety of fighting styles from traditional to hybrid. It’s common to see pencak silat as an umbrella term, but many expand well beyond that. Types of Indonesian Fighting Systems Indonesian martial arts are composed of more than a few combative styles designed for self-defense or general combat. Below are […]

Indonesian martial arts incorporate a variety of fighting styles from traditional to hybrid. It’s common to see pencak silat as an umbrella term, but many expand well beyond that.

Types of Indonesian Fighting Systems

Indonesian martial arts are composed of more than a few combative styles designed for self-defense or general combat. Below are some well-known systems.

Pencak Silat

Pencak silat is used as a universal term to describe the fighting arts in Indonesia. Some use the term separately, viewing them as two different aspects. “Pencak” can be observed by causal outsiders as it’s all about the essence of training. Whereas, “silat” is more about the essence of combat, something not revealed to outsiders.

This fighting system is full-body; meaning, it makes remarkable use of the entire body so that nothing is wasted. It focuses on grappling, throwing, and strikes. Weapons even maintain somewhat of an importance. Some are kept secret, left only for the more advanced students to train with. Common weapons include a spear, staff, machete, and a kris.

Tarung Derajat

Tarung Derajat is one of the hybrids found in Indonesian martial arts. Some of the basic moves used are strikes, grappling, sweeping, and kicks. Striking and kicking, however, are more emphasized than other techniques. Similar with pencak silat though, Tarung Derajat is a full-body contact style.

This type of style has its practitioners focusing on a set of principles: Tenacity, Speed, Strength, Accuracy, and Courage. The development of Tarung Derajat came in the 1960s by Haji Achmad Dradjat who grew up in a tough society that encouraged younger individuals to fight. After he became a street-fighter in order to survive, he came up with his own style that he eventually began teaching to others.

Kuntao

Like with pencak silat, kuntao has history dating back to ancient times. The two styles are so closely related that some have a tough time telling them apart. In some communities, the terms are used interchangeably.

Nevertheless, kuntao shows representation from both northern and southern Chinese martial arts styles. Some have undergone tweaks, but most have no changes. Styles used are, but not limited to, baguazhang, Kongfu, and Shandog. Previously, this was taught in secret to shield the techniques away from outsiders whether they were Chinese or not. Nowadays, kuntao can be seen publicly by anyone.

There are a number of weapons used when training in kuntao. The more popular weapons include a staff, spear, sabre, butterfly knives, and a sword.

Fitimaen

Fitimaen refers to an indigenous form of stick-fighting. The sticks used are typically made from one of the hundreds of variety of native hardwood or from rattan, a species of climbing palms. Although some do use other weapons such as spears, the fighting staff is always favored. When practitioners of fitimaen spar, it is always kept short as the risk of injury is high.

Caci

Like with fitimaen, caci involves fighting with a stick. However, this style also makes use of a whip and a shield. In this ancient fighting style, the whip can be long or short, and it’s generally made from palm stems. These stems are woven together with either water buffalo hide or rattan. The stick is usually a piece of hardwood. There is also the use of a shield, elliptical or round, and made from either water buffalo hide or wood.

Both the shield and the stick are traditionally undecorated. Competitors, however, sport a more traditional appearance. Bare-chested, headgear, pants, and jingling bells decorating their ankles and lower back. By some, caci can easily be mistaken for a dance. Make no mistake though, ancient fighters used to boast incredible scars.

Indonesian martial arts are a unique system of a variety of styles, traditions, and techniques. Although many have evolved from their ancient roots, there is still an emphasis on not only physicality, but also on the spiritual and psychological connection involved with it all.

XXX

Jason Maine is the founder of FullContactWay, a blog dedicated to provide best martial arts advice and information. Jason helps his readers with martial arts training by sharing personal tips and thorough research. Check out FullContactWay to get more about Jason’s work. You can find him on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/introduction-indonesian-martial-arts/feed/217696http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/introduction-indonesian-martial-arts/Voices of Nusantara: Madurese Martial Arts with Mas Mochamad Amienhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/AtlebtCnZlc/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/nusantara-madurese-martial-arts-mas-mochamad-amien/#respondSat, 23 Jun 2018 22:32:59 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17651In my continuing quest for advice on how to become a better pencak silat instructor, I asked my mentor and friend Mas Mochamad Amien of Chakra V Silat Combat System for some advice. I also inquired about the history of different types of weaponry used by the Madurese martial arts. Specifically, I asked him about […]

In my continuing quest for advice on how to become a better pencak silat instructor, I asked my mentor and friend Mas Mochamad Amien of Chakra V Silat Combat System for some advice. I also inquired about the history of different types of weaponry used by the Madurese martial arts. Specifically, I asked him about several weapons that I thought were characteristic of Madurese systems including the cutting spear known as a monteng (spine) or calok (lancor) for the characteristic shape of its heavy cutting blade (the very tip looks like human tailbone, which is called “monteng”). I have translated his answers from Indonesian with my interpolations presented in parenthesis (to help explain the context). I also had a lot of help from his student Oki, and his assistance was invaluable in correcting my translation of Mas Amien’s answers, my attempt at a proper orthography of Madurese terms, and adding a scholarly gloss to the origins of the individual weapons we talked about.

Interview with Mas Mochamad Amien of Chakra Lima Silat Combat System

Please, tell us about your culture and how it influences your silat.

The culture of the Madurese people has been a strong influence in shape of (our) martial arts. Madurese have a hardy character but also adaptable, open, and are hard workers. Because of that, the form of their silat is fast, straightforward, open, and strong.

What is the difference between a trainer and guru of silat? How does one become a silat guru?

In Madura, there is a tradition that still persists that someone can be called a guru of silat if they have already mastered 7 styles of pencak silat. If they have not yet mastered 7 styles they are not yet called a silat guru. Because of that it is not easy in Madura to be called a silat guru. If they only study one style they are not a silat guru. To be a silat instructor it is enough that you study one style of silat. I studied 7 styles under 3 gurus. The styles from my family are Pukulan Setekel, Akeket Macanan, Are’ Seka, Soddugen Gembuh, and Shakuntala. Pukul Hilang I learned from Pak Hasan and then Tengka’ Keteran from Grandmaster Sarip.

Can you tell me the history of the monteng (cutting spear), sickle, and whip? What cultures use it and how?

Mas Mochamad Amien

(Despite its reputation), the celurit (sickle) is not a weapon that is originally Madurese. The celurit is a weapon in daily use by peasants (everywhere in Indonesia). It was first introduced by Pak Sakerah of Bangil Pasuruan. The celurit is a weapon of the peasant. The celurit was newly recognized as a tool for murder and as the weapon of the Madurese people after the tragedy of Berek Temor.

The calok was first introduced by someone with the name Ke’ Lesap, the fallen son of the king of Bangkalan from a rebellious concubine, his weapon was the Calok.

Around the 14th century the whip (cambuk) was introduced by the King of Sumenep whose name was Jokotole who had the title Socadiningrat III. In the legend (of Jokotole) it explains that he fought with Dempo Awang with the use of a whip.

Does the monteng (cutting spear) have a use as an agricultural tool or is it designed for killing?

The spear and keris as well as the sword are the weapons of the Madurese warrior, also the bow and arrow. Almost the same, but the Madurese way is extinct because nobody wants to learn. Madurese seldom use a mace or a club, mas; they prefer the spear, keris, and whip. The Madurese spear is the same as the Javanese spear; they also have the monteng. There are many kinds of spear.

Why should westerners want to study silat?

If at Chakra Lima, they study because they like a system with real fighting.

The author, Charles Brandon Stauft with Mas Mochamad Amien

Madurese Martial Arts

Of the martial arts that derive from Mas Amien’s family, Pukulan Setekel is one of the more straightforward and effective. It consists of a set of basic movements and footwork, with a focus on close-quarter fighting. The name itself advertises the style’s effectiveness in close-quarters, as it means striking within the distance of one tekel or ceramic floor tile. “Setekel” is the newer term, coined by Mas Amien. An older term is “Pokolan Co’-keco’an” or just “Co’-keco’an” which means something like “Thief’s Boxing.” Akeket is traditional Indonesian wrestling, and Akeket Macanan is influenced by several Madurese and Tartar Akeket systems that teach ground-fighting and grappling. For weaponry, the most infamous Madurese weapon is the sickle. The Are’ Seka, contrary to the normal sickle used for daily agricultural use, is a sickle designed exclusively for killing. The knife is another common weapon that is taught in the Soddugen Gembuh style, an art derived from ancient combat with keris and shield but adapted to modern usage.

Mas Mochamad Amien

Pukul Hilang is a style of pencak silat that is vanishing, as the number of forms known by each generation is being reduced. I had the pleasure of meeting Mas Amien’s instructor nearby his home, and it seemed he was happy that silat is being learned by westerners. Tengka’ Keteran is a style taught by Mas Amien’s relative from his mother’s side, Mbah Sarip. Tengka’ means stepping/footwork, and Keteran is a name for the perkutut bird (Geopelia striata) therefore Tengka’ Keteran means dove’s step. It’s taught together with Madurese swordsmanship by Mbah Sarip. Along with Shakuntala, Tengka’ Keteran are arts meant for killing and are classified by Mas Amien as martial arts separate from pencak silat which focuses more on preserving the life of the practitioner rather than ending the life of the opponent (my interpretation of his opinion expressed to me).

Legendary History of Madurese Weaponry

As in other martial arts, the weaponry and styles of silat have semi-historical or legendary personages responsible for their introduction. Other influences, in an area of continuing conflict and violence between ethnic and religious groups such as Indonesia, are more recent.

Bangil Pasuruan is a town in the district of Pasuruan in East Java. Pak Sakerah is an East Java and Madura folk hero who resisted Dutch colonialists during the early 19th century. The weapon used by the plantation workers is the same tool they used to harvest sugar cane, the sickle. Mas Amien credits the introduction of the sickle, as a favored weapon in Madura not just as an agricultural tool, to Pak Sakerah. In his blog article, Mas Amien explains how the use of the sickle is not an ancient part of Madurese culture, but has been made infamous in the last century by the tragedy of Bere’ Temor (conflict between West and East Madura island) and the practice of Carok which as its root in the old Javanese word “Arok” which means riot/fight/chaos. The earliest Singhasari king was named “Ken Arok” because he was fond of causing such trouble. The vendetta killing or dueling leads to constant perpetuation of feuding between families. Therefore, the use of weapons in martial arts from Madura takes on a deadly seriousness as skill in the use of the sickle could mean the difference between life or death. Aside from duels over honor, one must also be prepared to defend against surprise attacks or being assaulted by 3 or more attackers.

Further in the past, Ke’ Lesap was the son of the king of Bangkalan (western Madura) and a concubine who was also a famous warrior and another Madurese folk hero. The calok I asked Mas Mochamad Amien about refers to the shape of the blade, and can be mounted on either a long handle like a spear or with short handle to fashion a heavy bladed knife. In general use, calok does not mean calok lancor or monteng, but something more like this a long-bladed sickle. The weapon ke’ lesap used is similar to the monteng, it was called “crancang” or “carancang” which means “spine” as in sharp thorn or barb. The word “calok” or “caluk” basically means “sharp weapon” in old Javanese. It is the same in Madurese, a sharp weapon is called calok to distinguish it from common tools. A tool, even if it’s sharp and can kill, will never be called calok by Madurese. Ke’ Lesap led a rebellion against the kingdom of Madura and won several battles before being killed. The use of heirloom spears features prominently in this legend and the weapon of Ke’ Lesap was a magical calok (kodhi’ crancang) of great power.

Even further back in history is the legend of Jokotole, or King Socadiningrat III who was an early 15th century monarch of Sumenep (Madura). In a battle with Dempo Awang, he was victorious with the use of the whip and ever since this has been a favored weapon of Madurese warriors. Although Dempo Awang may not sound familiar to you, that is the Indonesian name of the great Chinese explorer and commander Zheng He who is believed to have been defeated by Jokotole in 1433. This story is important for Madurese martial arts as Mas Amien and his warrior arts are descended from the general (Senopati) Ario Bijjannan who served Jokotole in 1413 A.D. Even slightly further back the father of Jokotole, named Adipoday or Socadiningrat II, was a famous kodhi’ wielder. His kodhi’ still survives to this day, kept in a museum in Sapudi Island in Sumenep, Madura.

Pencak Silat Documentary by Empty Mind Productions

If you would like to learn more about Mas Mochamad Amien and his fighting system that is based on realistic unarmed and armed self-defense, he has been recently featured in a documentary produced by Empty Mind Films. This documentary, The Island Art of Silat, features a number of Javanese and Madurese pencak silat styles throughout Java. It presents a balanced depiction of the different ways silat is trained in Java, with a focus on the tournament set-up for IPSI (Pencak Silat Association of Indonesia). They also discuss other silat systems including interviews with three of my instructors: Mas Sigid, Guru Cahyadi, and Mas Mochamad Amien. For Mas Amien the documentary describes his training philosophy and provides a rundown of the basic material in Pukulan Setekel.

XXX

Charles Brandon Stauft has been training in Silat since 2006 and teaching for the past 4 years. He is the head instructor for Inner Wave Pencak Silat New York where he teaches occasional seminars in New York City, a number of private students, and a class at Stony Brook University in Pencak Silat basics. He has mainly trained under Guru Daniel Prasetya and also with instructors in other Filipino and Indonesian martial arts both in the United States and Indonesia. He has been lucky enough to go to intensive camps in Bali and Java as well as a number of seminars in the United States. Recently he has also taken up historical European martial arts (HEMA), specifically German longsword fencing in the Lichtenauer tradition.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/nusantara-madurese-martial-arts-mas-mochamad-amien/feed/017651http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/nusantara-madurese-martial-arts-mas-mochamad-amien/Movies, Martial Arts and the Wild Beast Withinhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/okcVK2qBqy8/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/karate/movies-martial-arts-violence/#respondWed, 11 Apr 2018 04:00:57 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17467 One evening, I hit the sack with my laptop. I played Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and glued myself to the screen. Captain Jack Sparrow, brilliantly portrayed by Johnny Depp, overwhelming occupied my imagination even after the movie had ended. This fascination of mine is a reflection of a natural […]

One evening, I hit the sack with my laptop. I played Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and glued myself to the screen. Captain Jack Sparrow, brilliantly portrayed by Johnny Depp, overwhelming occupied my imagination even after the movie had ended. This fascination of mine is a reflection of a natural human trait. People transcend themselves through characters portrayed in the media. This can especially happen if the protagonist is a hero.

In the genre of action movies, fighting is a key attraction. In this case, sword fighting, shooting, and jumping from high altitudes mesmerize and excite the audience. We wish that we could do this in real life. The action intrigues us!

This mind frame could be one of the reasons people join the military. Erick Prince, a former US Navy SEAL, once said that his job was the best in the world. He quoted, “you get paid for jumping out of airplanes, diving, and shooting guns.” An employment with the SEALs enabled him to experience firsthand what most people fantasize over television. In this day and age one cannot live as Captain Jack Sparrow, and not everyone may enlist with the Special Forces. However, physical activity such as martial arts practice on a regular basis may feed our craving for an adrenaline rush.

To look back at our movie character Jack Sparrow, reflection reveals a distressing thought: he’s a pirate. Pirates in the Caribbean back then were essentially dacoits. They were outlaws who looted ships and pillaged from those who were unable to defend themselves. Often, it is alleged they were mercenaries who did the dirty work of legitimate governments. They violated the most basic human rights through child labour, rape, looting, murder and so on. They also did the undercover dirty work of legitimate governments, such as economic espionage, and attacking the ships of competing sovereign countries on international waters. If caught, pirates were hanged for their hideous crimes. Therefore, we can say, that even in their times such deeds were not acceptable.

Nevertheless, audiences are still attracted to pirates in their fantasies and may enact them in ways without realizing. After watching a pirate movie I may order rum when I sit down for a drink instead of my regular whisky or, I may dress up as Captain Jack Sparrow for a Halloween party. I may even purchase a “Jack Sparrow Play Sword” for my little cousin on his birthday. All of which is acceptable.

My little cousin can be running about the house acting as a pirate, imagining getting into fights. Sounds harmless, eh? But then, as a responsible adult, should I be worried about my little cousin visualizing and acting as a violent person in his imaginary play? According to New York Police Department’s, Kyle Shaw, the bomber responsible for a Starbucks attack in Manhattan on May, 25th 2009 was inspired by the movie Fight Club. What would drive individuals to become violent people? Again, referring to pirates, perhaps if born under a different social order, such people, mostly men here, would not have been so violent.

Scene from the movie Fight Club

The question looms. Can people have violent tendencies that are perpetuated by their environment, including the media? Professor David Carrie of the department of Biology at the University of Utah states, “Fighting is hardwired into us; it is a part of who we are.” So, one can argue that humans can be competitive in nature. It can be for land, food, companions or just bragging rights. Today, in most civilized communities, violence has decreased. A research essay titled, Examining Dark Triad Traits in Relation to Mental Toughness and Physical Activity in Young Adults concludes that, “DT (Dark Triad) traits, high MT (mental toughness), and vigorous PA (physical activity) are interrelated. This pattern of results might explain why, for instance, successful professional athletes can at the same time be tough and ruthless.”

Instructors can argue that training in martial arts can be like taming a wild beast. We learn to express our desire for violence in a controlled manner. Therefore, it is to some extent, up to the ethical responsibility of your Sensei to guide you towards developing a character that embraces nonviolence, while training in a violent, scientific art.

Mohammed Tanvir (Nick) Mosharraf has been practicing martial arts actively since 2002 and has been exposed to Boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ and Kyokushin Karate among others. He is an avid fan of Boxing and MMA. He believes in using combat sports and martial arts to foster community relations and also enable and empower people from all walks of life.

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has just announced additional signings to ONE Super Series, which aims to provide the world’s best martial artists a global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia’s striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more.

ONE Super Series will launch in Manila, Philippines at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR on 20 April at the Mall of Asia Arena. The promotion has already signed top talents including multiple-time Muay Thai world champions Petchboonchu FA Group, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Yodsaenklai Fairtex, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Singtongnoi Por Telakun, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Sagetdao Petpayathai, Kwankhao Mor. Rattanabandit, Yodcherry Sityodtong, as well as international superstar world champions Giorgio Petrosyan, Fabio Pinca, Alain Ngalani, Regian Eersel, Sergej Maslobojev, and many others.

In this round of signings, ONE Super Series welcomes Muay Thai greats Tukkatatong Petpayathai and Lerdsila of Thailand, UK Muay Thai World Champion Panicos Yusuf of Cyprus, Stergus Mikkios of Greece, two-time It’s Showtime 70MAX world champion kickboxer Chris “The African Warrior” Ngimbi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, former WMC Intercontinental and WPMF World Champion Cosmo “Good Boy” Alexandre of Brazil, Steve “The Smashing Machine” McKinnon and Daniel “The Rock” Dawson of Australia, Muay Thai kickboxer Enriko Kehl of Germany, former Lion Fight Muay Thai world lightweight champion Sergio Wielzen of Suriname, Tarik Khbabez of Morocco, Brad “Quake” Riddell of New Zealand, Matthew “Sobek” Semper of the United States, and former Lion Fight Lightweight World Champion Ognjen Topic of Serbia. Additional signings will be announced at a later date.

About ONE Championship

ONE Championship is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship hosts bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, MMA, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling and more. ONE Championship hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world’s best martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 1.7-billion potential viewers across 136 countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Bandsports, Startimes, Premier Sports, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, OSN, and more.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/cosmo-alexandre-steve-mckinnon-ognjen-topic/feed/117344http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/cosmo-alexandre-steve-mckinnon-ognjen-topic/Fun Things to Do While Visiting Japanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/XB8GvcOAakQ/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/japan/fun-things-visiting-japan/#respondMon, 29 Jan 2018 05:52:33 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17301A lot of people want to visit Japan. It’s known as a country that’s established a nice balance between cultural identity and forward-looking modernism. It has beautiful country areas, huge cities, and by all accounts some of the world’s friendlier people (not to mention a very long and rich history). It’s a place that simply […]

A lot of people want to visit Japan. It’s known as a country that’s established a nice balance between cultural identity and forward-looking modernism. It has beautiful country areas, huge cities, and by all accounts some of the world’s friendlier people (not to mention a very long and rich history). It’s a place that simply has a lot of appeal to a lot of people. The following are some of the things you might enjoy doing while you’re there.

Walk the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

One of the most unique features of Japan as a country is the presence of towering bamboo forests. They exist in China too, but they’re perhaps a little more accessible in Japan, and they’re commonly recommended for tourists. Arashiyama is perhaps the best of the bunch, identified as one of Kyoto’s top sights (which is saying something) and perfect for a hike. You can take a nice long walk, and particularly on a sunny day, with the tops of the bamboo stalks almost glowing in sunlight, you feel as if you’re walking through some creative author’s fantasy world.

Spend a Night in Tokyo

Most people are aware that Tokyo is the biggest city in Japan, and one of the most significant, modern cities in all of Asia. What you may not realize is that it’s actually the biggest city in the world (that’s right – not New York or Sao Paolo or Mexico City). And when you’re there it feels like it, not so much in a cluttered way, but simply because of the pulse of the city. A night there is just a memorable experience if you’re touring Japan.

Visit an Onsen

You may have heard of Japanese onsens before. Really, it’s just another word for a hot spring, and the country is full of them. These are some of the nicest and most relaxing places to visit in all of Japan. If you’re traveling during a colder part of the year, you should certainly work them into your itinerary.

See Geishas at Work

Geishas are almost mythical at this point. These unique entertainers have been depicted in movies, written about in books, and turned into gaming subjects. Despite the mythical quality to them however, one of the games that uses them describes their current status well: they remain an important part of Japan’s heritage. And even today you can see geishas in certain neighborhoods, moving between events. It’s generally acceptable to look for them and even take photos, provided you don’t hold them up in any way.

Japanese macaques enjoying the hot springs at Jigokundani Monkey Park

Visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park

If you’ve ever seen pictures of red-face monkeys (Japanese macaques) enjoying hot springs with snow in the surroundings, the pictures probably came from the Jigokundani Monkey Park. This is basically an onsen for macaques, which is quite an amazing attraction. Because of high elevation, cold temperatures, and jagged cliffs, the whole area is considered somewhat treacherous. But you can take a bus to the springs from the entrance to the park, and enjoy the incredible, unforgettable sight of the macaques warming themselves up in natural springs. It’s truly one of the most amazing natural behaviors you’ll ever witness.

Eat Sushi

There’s a strong argument to be made that sushi is as much a part of Japan as any food can be said to be part of any country or region. So, naturally, you should seek out the very best when you’re there. Generally speaking, that also happens to mean seeking out the best sushi places in Tokyo, which is pretty much the capital of this unofficial national dish. But wherever you may go in Japan, do some research and ask around to find the best. You won’t be disappointed.

Mount Fuji, Japan

Scale Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji can be somewhat elusive to tourists, often more or less shrouded in fog – and in fact sometimes essentially invisible altogether. However, if you get up close you can actually hike up the mountain, which is quite something to be able to say you’ve done. It’s one of the most famous mountains in the world, and particularly on a clearer day it’s a beautiful sight, and one that offers even more beautiful views once you hike up a ways.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/japan/fun-things-visiting-japan/feed/017301http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/japan/fun-things-visiting-japan/A Tale of Two Koreas – A North Korean Kid in a South Korean Gymhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/NjCL7187MMM/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/north-korean-defectors-south-korea-gym/#respondTue, 19 Dec 2017 02:15:56 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17286Summer is in full force when I step into the gym sometime in mid-June. Scanning the perspiring faces around me as I get ready for the evening’s training session, my eyes stop on a new kid. Unlike the others, who are dressed comfortably in sleeveless cotton tops and Muay Thai trunks, the new boy is […]

Summer is in full force when I step into the gym sometime in mid-June. Scanning the perspiring faces around me as I get ready for the evening’s training session, my eyes stop on a new kid. Unlike the others, who are dressed comfortably in sleeveless cotton tops and Muay Thai trunks, the new boy is clad in a long-sleeved sweater and too-thick pants.

Throughout the training session that evening, I notice that Han keeps his head down most of the time, averts his gaze whenever he is spoken to, and makes little attempt to venture out of his little corner, where he seems comfortable with his little slice of mirror space.

Later that night, Okbae tells me that Han had come earlier in the day with his father to sign up at our gym. Dazzled and inspired by the kickboxing stars he had idolised on K1 and UFC TV programmes, Han had persuaded his father to allow him to attend Muay Thai lessons. His father had agreed without hesitation, because he wanted Han to build up self-confidence and assimilate better into South Korean society.

“We are defectors from North Korea, you see.” The older man had offered a self-explanatory answer that had tugged at Okbae’s heartstrings.

The issue of North Korean defectors remains a thorny one here in Seoul. Although refugees from the impoverished North have been arriving in droves for decades, their existence in the South is both an unspeakable taboo and an open secret.

Han has been in South Korea for 13 months. His father had arrived first, four years ago, seeking political asylum, and had sent for Han and his younger brother after settling down into life in Seoul. A harsh critic of the North Korean regime, Han’s father had worked covertly with his brother – Han’s uncle – to help North Korean refugees escape across the porous border with China before attempting his own flight to freedom.

Like many of his countrymen in the villages of North Korea, Han grew up experiencing extreme poverty and hardship. Famines and food shortages were common, and Han spent most of his time looking for mice and insects to catch and eat. Han says he used to enjoy swimming, but the sheer number of corpses in North Korea’s lakes and rivers marred his love for water for good.

“It is an easy way to dispose of the dead. They could be political prisoners, victims of the famine … anyone really. I often used to wonder when it would be my turn to float down the river next to our hut.”

In an ill-fated attempt at crossing the Yalu River (the water body that separates China and North Korea) one night, Han’s uncle was arrested and shot by North Korean border guards. Soon after, Han’s mother and remaining family members were ruthlessly shot by the North Korean authorities for “harbouring dissidents and aiding defectors.”

Han was spared because of his young age then, and he claims he has no memory of the traumatic purging of his family that happened right before his eyes. He was consequently sent to live with a distant relative, before his father orchestrated his successful escape through the villages of northern China, into the depths of Southeast Asian jungles, and finally a flight from Thailand to Seoul.

Although Han is 16 years old, he has been placed a grade lower in middle school because he is still struggling with English and Math, subjects which he had had little to no contact with back in North Korea. He also finds it a challenge to mix in with his schoolmates, as he finds their pastimes and frolicking frivolous and meaningless.

Han is one of those who works the hardest in the gym. He turns up without fail for at least a couple of hours daily, which is not an easy feat for a Korean student. On Fridays, when he is temporarily freed from the demands of homework, he comes in at 4pm and stays all the way till closing time at midnight.

Han barely spoke a word for the first two weeks he was at our gym. However, the familial support and friendships in a Muay Thai gym soon broke down the barriers that Han had constructed. To Han, the gym is a welcome refuge and respite. He says he has fun interacting with people of all ages, and especially enjoys sparring sessions with his close friends here. He calls some of them his “brothers.”He even has a “girlfriend” of sorts in the gym; Okbae smiles as he points out the two of them chatting shyly by the sandbags.

“I had been alone and lonely for most of my life. Here, for the first time, I realised that exercising together can be fun and liberating. Padwork for me was something new. I never knew you could have so much fun kicking and punching the mitts with a friend.”

We immediately noticed that Han is stronger – physically and mentally – than the other kids in our gym. His movements are fluid, and he is a natural fighter. Unlike his peers who give up easily at the first sign of fatigue or pain, Han gives his all. He is usually the only one who completes the assigned roadwork, and goes all out every time on the pads and heavy bags.

“From the age of five, I had worked in one of the farms owned by the North Korean regime. I remember harvesting corn, hauling stacks of produce around and bagging sweet potatoes. It was difficult back then, but now I think I was made to experience all those for a reason.”

Having lived in a state where his life was at stake daily, Han probably better understands the desperation, hard work and commitment necessary to conquer his circumstances. This is the mentality that will be greatly advantageous to Han in his future fights.

It is a little victory for us when Han forgoes his trademark sweater for a T-shirt for the first time in August. He tells us that he has finally mustered up enough confidence and courage to show the world what he has been hiding.

Han shows us the huge, thick scars that criss-cross in patches across his arms. He says there had been a fire in his home in North Korea shortly after his family was shot, and it had been “very painful.” He purses his lips and says he would not like to talk about the memory as it involves “bad men.” We respectfully leave it at that.

“I was embarrassed, and tried to hide behind my long-sleeved sweaters. But I think Muay Thai has helped heal me mentally. People are so kind and open here, and I think my injury doesn’t make me any different.”

As the weeks past, we see Han blossom. Once a painfully shy and quiet teenager, he is now confident enough to lead warm-ups, instruct newer members, and hold pads for his peers.

“They are all my friends,” Han says, gesturing happily at the other kids in the gym. I ask Han about his future plans.

“I want to be a Muay Thai champion for the Republic of Korea,” Han says shyly, a smile lifting the corners of his lips. The fact that he uses the official name for South Korea is telling. Han’s new life now allows him to plan far ahead into the future, a far cry from the past when survival was a daily struggle. He is preparing for his first fight in December, and is saving up for an overseas training trip.

“It is still surreal for me now. I used to literally fight for my life back then. I never imagined that I will have the chance to fight in a ring soon here in South Korea.”

*Name changed for safety and privacy reasons

XXX

Rachel Lee first came to South Korea in 2011, intending only to visit a Korean fighter she had met at a Muay Thai gym in Thailand earlier that year. With her month-long visit sprawling into a four-year sojourn, she has since gotten engaged to the Korean fighter, and is currently running a Muay Thai gym with him in Seoul. A traveler and explorer at heart, she frequently finds herself treading precariously between ambition and reality.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/north-korean-defectors-south-korea-gym/feed/017286http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/north-korean-defectors-south-korea-gym/From Domestic Violence Survivor to Muay Thai Fighter: The Story of Casey Lynnhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/P8yeV9mGBMM/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/athletes-domestic-violence-casey-lynn/#respondThu, 02 Nov 2017 17:55:03 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17267It’s become a regular occurrence for Casey Lynn to have to argue with the doorman at the fights. No one believes she’s a fighter. A fighter’s girlfriend maybe, but an actual fighter? Never. It usually takes a while, especially if her picture isn’t on the program, but eventually she gets in. Lynn is not your […]

It’s become a regular occurrence for Casey Lynn to have to argue with the doorman at the fights. No one believes she’s a fighter. A fighter’s girlfriend maybe, but an actual fighter? Never. It usually takes a while, especially if her picture isn’t on the program, but eventually she gets in.

Lynn is not your stereotypical Muay Thai fighter. She smiles a lot. She definitely doesn’t dress the part, and usually shows up to fight in her cowboy boots and daisy dukes. Her two daughters, ages seven and twelve, are always by her side, whether at the gym or cheering her on at ringside. The girls have had to sacrifice a lot for their mom, who has been living the life of Muay Thai for the past five years, but it’s a sacrifice they are willing to make. Muay Thai has empowered Lynn, and strengthened their family dynamic.

Muay Thai taught Casey what it meant to be part of something again—but that’s not what she was necessarily expecting. Lynn started Muay Thai as a way to understand violence. Violence that she had experienced firsthand, the effects of which have followed her through 15 fights and countless hours at the gym.

Lynn is a survivor of domestic abuse. Growing up on a farm near Arlington, WA, She recalls almost being killed by her then boyfriend in her senior year of high school. He was a cocaine addict, she says. Lynn was feisty and always fought back. Sometimes things got out of hand, causing the police to get involved. But nothing ever came of it. Nobody ever got arrested.

“You think you are safe, the police even knew us personally,” Lynn says. “But they failed to recognize the signs of domestic abuse.”

Photo by David Jaewon Oh

When Lynn finally ended things, she wasn’t aware that more than half of all violence occurs when the victim is planning to leave or has left the abuser. Going to his house to pick up her stuff, she found herself in the fight of her life.

“He had a gun, he beat me with it. Then he tried to get me to play Russian Roulette with him. He wanted me to beg for my life, but I refused to do it.”

He lost it and threw her out into a blackberry bramble. She was stuck, in pain, and helpless. After everything she had gone through, it seemed so trivial that a blackberry bramble would be her demise. She managed to pull herself from the bushes and ran down the country road to find her car and take off. But it didn’t end there. He threatened to kill Casey’s family if she didn’t get back together with him, still in high school at the time, she complied. Lynn was trapped by him for another two and a half years. She got lucky when he was arrested for armed robbery and went to jail. Only then, when he was behind bars, could she finally tell him what she really thought.

She went on to meet and marry the father of her children. She assumed that their nuclear family would stand the test of time, but, she says, “we just couldn’t make it work. We were both unhappy and the negativity flowed through the house. It was emotionally painful.”

The silent suffering continued for a long time, Lynn still trying to make it work, thinking it was best for her children. She finally left, never thinking as to how hard it would be to be raising her children alone.

Lynn with her daughters. Photo by David Jaewon Oh

“I never for one second thought that I would end up as a single mom. There’s no backup plan, no one that can take over for you. I’m left to provide all the emotional support and well being for my children, it’s no longer a team effort. But my grandma was a single mom, and it’s OK.”

At first, though, it was not OK. Despite being very athletic and having had grown up on a farm doing chores, Casey gained an alarming 55 pounds. That was when she signed up for Muay Thai.

At the beginning, she really struggled to be hit, and hit back, in sparring. She felt that by hitting others, even in a controlled environment, made her an abuser. Getting hit was like a flashback to her previous abuse. Many nights were spent crying in her car, with her children at her side, never hiding her emotions from them.

“Before Muay Thai I couldn’t even be hugged, and when I started training couldn’t be hit in sparring. I was afraid.”

But she refused to give up, and after about a year of training, Casey could remember what it felt like to be connected; she was part of a community again. People at the gym held her accountable for her attendance—she rarely misses a day—and her trainer had expectations for her. She had started training to initiate mental and physically healing, but quickly realized that Muay Thai had now taken the place of the relationship with her ex-husband.

And after three years of training, Casey, who played competitive soccer since age three, was ready to fight.

Photo by David Jaewon Oh

Today she can spar without going into panic and now enjoys training with other men. Her trainer, Tony Deva, now can massage her injuries, and she no longer turns her head away or blinks when getting hit. Walking out to the ring, something that at the beginning nearly crippled her with fear, is now a time of clarity and calmness.

“I wanted to understand why I was abused, and why someone would want to do that to me. I always fought back, and felt guilty for doing so. I wondered why I didn’t run away.”

Lynn is not alone. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 1 in 3 women are victims of some form of domestic violence, Casey has learned a lot through her years in Muay Thai. Fighting has taught her that you can and will be overpowered, and that men are in fact much stronger than women on average. She says that self-defence classes can create a false sense of security for women and that sometimes, it’s all right not to fight back.

“Self-defence isn’t a fail safe, because you’ll always meet someone bigger and stronger than you. Fighting empowers you but doesn’t make you a superhero. In certain situations you should just run.”

The journey isn’t over. Casey still can get overwhelmed in fights when her opponents rush in. It’s not the fight itself, but the scars of her past that cause her to retreat. But every time she fights, it gets a little easier. Muay Thai has taught her to better embrace her emotions and to understand that in life, we can’t always be 100%— a lesson she hopes to teach her daughters. She hopes they will learn that it’s OK to be afraid, OK to cry, and even OK to get mad.

“If a woman raises her voice she’s looked at as a bitch, but being angry is an emotion just like being happy or sad,” Casey says.

The sport, she says, has given her a safe space, even if it’s a safe space where you get hit in the head. It has taught her not to be a victim, and taught her that sometimes, it’s OK to not fight back.

XXX

After receiving a Muay Thai scholarship to train at a prominent gym in Northern Thailand, Watthanaya packed her bags at 19 leaving home with a one way ticket. She ended up however at a Bangkok street gym affiliated with Sor. Thanikul and married one of the fighters. They took off for Khorat and Watthanaya fought her way through Issan. Now, with a degree in tote, a four year old daughter, and a passion to fight again, she is back. Connect with Frances Watthanaya on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/athletes-domestic-violence-casey-lynn/feed/017267http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/muay-thai/athletes-domestic-violence-casey-lynn/Voices of the Archipelago: Kang Rafijen of Maenpo Peupeuhan Adung Raishttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/NE8c1Bl-uMo/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/maenpo-sudanese-silat-mohammad-rafijen/#respondFri, 22 Sep 2017 07:14:25 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17248 On my trip to Indonesia in 2014, I had the pleasure of sojourning in the city of Bandung located in western Java. Bandung is one of Indonesia’s largest cities with over 8 million inhabitants and only one small airport (although a new one is currently being constructed), so most people that I know drive […]

On my trip to Indonesia in 2014, I had the pleasure of sojourning in the city of Bandung located in western Java. Bandung is one of Indonesia’s largest cities with over 8 million inhabitants and only one small airport (although a new one is currently being constructed), so most people that I know drive from the capital of Jakarta. Bandung is famous for the quality of its silat practitioners. I had previously visited Bandung for a workshop with Bambang Suwanda (Harimau Silat) in 2011, but that was only for an afternoon at a nice hotel. This time, I was going to have the pleasure of an extended stay where I could experience the city.

Bandung, Indonesia

My impression of Bandung was that it was very chaotic and I was glad to have a guide in the form of my acquaintance, Tharyana Sastranegara, himself an accomplished Sundanese (west Javanese) silat guru. I am grateful for his help because, as a Bandung native, he could navigate Bandung using the city bus system. These buses are very small and nimble vehicles called “Angkot” that are ideal for the busy and crowded streets of Bandung. They are privately operated and operate on a byzantine route and schedule system I found incomprehensible. Wikipedia recommends asking the drivers for the destination, but the average stop time seemed to be about 5-10 seconds as everyone seems to know where they are going as they jump out and pile in. It was on one of these tiny buses that we went to visit Kang Mohammad Rafijen.

Guru Yana, Guru Rafijen, and myself sat down on some bamboo mats in his house and enjoyed dinner consisting of kue (Indonesian snack foods) including fried plantains, sticky rice pastries, and sweet jasmine tea. Kang Rafijen (Kang is a Sundanese honorific like Mr.) is a very powerful and fast silat practitioner of the art of Maenpo and I was honored that he agreed to be interviewed by me. Maenpo is one of the old terms for Indonesian martial arts that comes from the Sundanese language and the system is famous for its fast and powerful punches. Kang Rafijen is very knowledgeable about the history and weaponry of his art and I am happy to share that with you.

Can you tell me the history of the weapons used in Sundanese silat? What do you know about the karambit?

I do not know for sure what the true origins of the karambit are, I have only become acquainted with the karambit as a weapon within the last few years. According to a story in Kasepuhan Silat, the karambit weapon comes from a tiger’s claw and was made as a weapon of war by ancient silat warriors because it is comfortable to grip. Since then, the weapon has developed into one made of metal.

The machete (golok, or bedog in Sundanese) was born and created by the predecessors of the Indonesian nation and has many different variations and names. By chance it is called Bedog in Sundanese, which means golok (in Indonesian) or machete and was created or made by Indonesian warriors who intended it as a tool of war and a tool for farming. Because in antiquity the tools of war were very limited, for example: machetes, spears, sticks, knives, and so on. The golok is one of the most reliable and practical to be used as a weapon for war so in every style of Silat there is always a way to use the golok.

The short stick was mentioned among the first Sundanese warriors as a “Ruyung made from the wood of the Kawung Tree and Hoe made from the Rattan Tree.” The second type of weapon is very practical and effective for use as a tool of war or a tool for self-defense. For Penca Sunda (Sundanese martial arts), the short stick is known as “Ulin Ruyung” and in some areas of Tatar Sunda (explain geography) there is also a game using short sticks that is named Ironwood Play (Ujungan). And, all the tools discussed are used to aid daily life at that time, because they can be used as tools of war, hunting, farming, and many other uses.

Kang Rafijen

What is the difference between a trainer and guru of silat? How does one become a guru silat?

A silat guru needs to be a silat Pendekar that truly is highly accomplished in silat knowledge and necessarily the title of Guru is intended for a highly knowledgable fighter, meaning he can build a school and having many disciples while the coach cannot be a Guru, because they are called a silat coach, usually they are an assistant to a silat master.

Please, tell us about your culture and how it influences your silat.

In the past, the Sundanese civilization was of course very thick with names of arts such as Penca, Maenpo, Ulin, and Usik. The Sundanese culture can be described by “Someah hade kasemah” which means being friendly to the guests who arrive.

My style of silat is called Maenpo Peupeuhan, which comes from the height of Sundanese civilization in the past, because the Sundanese civilization was glorious in the fields of economy, politics, and culture. The Sundanese people had very good trade relations with foreign merchants at that time and also there was a cultural relationship through pencak silat, or maenpo, so at that time martial arts could also be used as a communication tool. Maenpo was influenced by a past political condition that tended to be very strict and firm. Martial arts at that time was a type of wealth or property that was priceless in addition to gold, animals, houses, or money.

Describe traditional training methods within your art.

Traditional training in Maenpo has many exercises that are simple but heavy. For example, a maenpo warrior should strike the air every day, this should be done very hard and for a long time as well as many other methods.

Do you accept foreign students? How can they contact you?

Of course, strangers or foreigners can learn Maenpo from me, just call my telephone number (0818229648) and I am in the city of Bandung. Also, you can invite me for a seminar or come to Indonesia to learn Maenpo from me (MPAR) Maenpo Peupeuhan Adung Rais.

Why should Indonesians keep the tradition of silat alive?

Indonesian people learn martial arts to honor the ancestral culture of Indonesia and it is a responsibility and our obligation as the Indonesian nation because “a great nation is a nation that upholds his own culture!”

XXX

Charles Brandon Stauft has been training in Silat since 2006 and teaching for the past 4 years. He is the head instructor for Inner Wave Pencak Silat New York where he teaches occasional seminars in New York City, a number of private students, and a class at Stony Brook University in Pencak Silat basics. He has mainly trained under Guru Daniel Prasetya and also with instructors in other Filipino and Indonesian martial arts both in the United States and Indonesia. He has been lucky enough to go to intensive camps in Bali and Java as well as a number of seminars in the United States. Recently he has also taken up historical European martial arts (HEMA), specifically German longsword fencing in the Lichtenauer tradition.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/maenpo-sudanese-silat-mohammad-rafijen/feed/017248http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/silat/maenpo-sudanese-silat-mohammad-rafijen/Win an International Educational Scholarship From Lion Dance Singaporehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/RIj2HkRM57w/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/singapore/lion-dance-singapore-scholarship/#respondSat, 09 Sep 2017 05:06:20 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17242 Lion Dance Singapore is currently offering a one time scholarship award of up to $4,000 SGD for students attending or planning to attend an accredited college or graduate school in the near future anywhere in the world. There are no restrictions in terms of nationalities, age or undergraduate course. Eligibility You must be […]

Lion Dance Singapore is currently offering a one time scholarship award of up to $4,000 SGD for students attending or planning to attend an accredited college or graduate school in the near future anywhere in the world. There are no restrictions in terms of nationalities, age or undergraduate course.

Eligibility

You must be enrolled in a university/institute of higher learning’s programme on a full-time basis.

You must be able to submit original copies of proof of enrollment.

How Do I Apply?

Submit an essay, info-graphic or a marketing strategy detailing how you think you can contribute to make Lion Dance Singapore the go-to performance company in all of South-East Asia.

Deadline

May 15, 2018

About Lion Dance Singapore

(Taken from their website.)

Lion Dance Singapore was born out of our customer’s frequent request to cater to their housewarming and opening ceremony events when we were operating a small humble fitness club back in 2002. Thus, our modest abode was transformed to Lion Dance Singapore.

Though we are still new when it comes to lion dance in Singapore, we have impressed regular, loyal clients who are highly satisfied with our services and the quality of lion dance and bian lian performance we offer.

Our regular clientele includes MNCs, Government Statutory Boards, Government Offices, local SMEs, local schools, and many more.

Our pleasure derives from assisting business owners conceptualize creative ideas to make their opening ceremony stand out from the rest. With our extensive network, resources and experience in events and opening ceremonies, we look to integrate horizontally from being a lion dance troupe to an event organizer.

]]>http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/singapore/lion-dance-singapore-scholarship/feed/017242http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/singapore/lion-dance-singapore-scholarship/A New Manilahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/milkblitzstreetbomb/~3/bn8WFdBCD_o/
http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/philippines/a-new-manila/#respondTue, 01 Aug 2017 16:34:20 +0000http://milkblitzstreetbomb.com/?p=17224 Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one of the birthplaces of Filipino martial arts (FMA). Previous inhabitants of the city — along with the island of Cebu — played a pivotal role during historical times in the development of Eskrima, Arnis, and even Panatukan, but despite that, the city has a surprising lack […]

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one of the birthplaces of Filipino martial arts (FMA). Previous inhabitants of the city — along with the island of Cebu — played a pivotal role during historical times in the development of Eskrima, Arnis, and even Panatukan, but despite that, the city has a surprising lack of FMA schools. It has also been overshadowed somewhat in the tourism department, with a certain class of holidaymakers preferring those other Asian metropolises like Bangkok, Macau, Singapore, and Hong Kong. But a new Manila is beginning to emerge with a change in fortune and a boost from the luxury tourism industry.

The fourth-largest city in the world and a major attraction, Manila has been included in this year’s Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards. The city’s inaugural recognition on the list was due to the development of two 5-star hotels, the Marco Polo Ortigas and the Sky Tower at Solaire Resort and Casino. The Filipino capital is carving a new niche for itself as a glamorous and distinctly unique tourist hub and the ultimate hotspot, hence the name Entertainment City.

Spanning an area of 8-square kilometers in the Bay City section of Metro Manila, this government-sponsored economic development zone is where the newest, brightest, and most luxurious integrated resorts are located. Also known as E-City, it has quickly developed a strong reputation amongst tourists and casino professionals alike thanks to a number of casino mega resorts including Solaire, Okada Manila, and the renowned City of Dreams. The City of Dreams is a sprawling complex of luxury hotels, entertainment facilities, fine dining, and high-end shopping that has developed a reputation as a glamorous casino resort on par with Macau. It plays host to the annual PokerStars Live Manila Tournament, drawing in the best professional players on the circuit. In 2019, a fourth integrated resort, Resorts World Bayshore, is set to open in E-City, putting this previously overlooked city at the very center of casino gaming in the Southeast Asian region.

Beyond the casino lure, Manila is also attempting to break new ground in the region with theater and entertainment. Some of Broadway’s biggest musicals are being touted for runs in E-City, like Wicked, which opened last year in the 1,740-seat theatre at Solaire. CenterPlay is the City of Dreams’ unique take on the theater experience as this stage is set in the middle of the casino and hosts regular live performances in addition to keeping visitors entertained with the interactive DreamPlay, which incorporates high-grossing movies like Kung Fu Panda and Shrek.

Then there’s the nightlife. To those in the know, Manila has a thriving nightlife scene, which mixes laid back speakeasies and bars with diverse night clubs, as well as some excellent music events. The nightlife in E-City is quite a different story with its focus on luxe and glamor. A number of exclusive bars and restaurants attached to the resorts are attempting to woo the elite with members-only whiskey bars and eclectic but always tasteful cocktail saloons.

Focusing on increasing luxury tourism is a smart economic move for any country, and it can certainly be argued that Manila, and, in turn, the Philippines, deserves its share of this exclusive market. So far, E-City and its high-rise, high-tech resorts have managed to co-exist well with the older, more soulful parts of the city. Anyone concerned about a trip to Manila losing that unique feeling, which is a unique combination of the country’s diverse cultural history and 21st-century life, needn’t worry. Although it’s true that the City of Dreams, Solaire, and the other complexes are designed with a luxe market in mind, there is still plenty to explore within its boundaries for the travelers who are seeking to experience a more authentic and original side of the city.